Sunday, December 16, 2012

In the last post, published yesterday, I introduced my latest editions to the shelf of Artist books Ive been working on this year. I decided that they were ideal for online exhibiting and why not actually make them available for purchase.

Seed capsules' Artist book

So... Ive just uploaded a series of these completely one-off artist books at my Studio blog with details about each one and how to purchase within Australia or Overseas ... or simply contact me with your inquiries.

The books are a valuable series of artworks in themselves. Using work on paper created over the last year or two I have gone through and chosen which ones to employ / sacrifice in order to reinvent them into book form. I'm also offering them at a seriously reasonable price ... as framed artwork prices would no doubt be higher.

II: Counting the Seeds II: 21 x 15 cm 16 pages

Over the years there have been times when I've spent hours art-making in formats that never realise anywhere near the cost of making the thing. I did feel a little reluctant to tear, alter and reformat works on paper that in some cases meant a lot to me ... or I felt were quite valuable... but I decided to go with this as I work best often when taking risks and trying for curious or unexpected results, relying in part on spontaneity and accident.Much of my process over years has benefitted and been characterised by this reassembling... it allows the process of sorting, synthesising, coagulating and generally honing ideas and skills. So the books are, I hope for the viewer, special in that each one explores a visual element quite seriously whilst at the same time being a vessel for meditation ... words and ideas collect around the pages ias I work... words i want to write down.Perhaps enough words will collect and find an appropriate vessel for them to pour into.Anything is possible.All I know its that these books do carry enormous significance for me as talismans... they call to those who also want to articulate something perhaps hidden or not yet fully formed.

'Potent world' Artist book

21 x 15 cm, 12 pages

I hope you enjoy seeing what I have been musing on of late. Something is definitely trying to be born!

For the whole story with images of the artist books visit the studio blognow or share a link to your other sites if you wish! .

Friday, December 14, 2012

This week my grand-nephews, W, aged 4 and P, aged 18 months, came on a trip to the just opened Asia Pacific Triennial at the Gallery of Modern Art and adjacent QLD Art Gallery.

The plan is to return later for a slower and more deliberate viewing. In the company of this pair of art-appreciators an interesting time was certainly had!

P loved this outrageously bold work above (I was too busy navigating to read who the artist was I'm sorry) but I took a great interest in what they were noticing and responding to. We spent a little time at this one for P's sake. W was busy learning to read notices, like "please do not touch"! Glad to report both were relaxed and easy to take around. GoMA has won awards for its excellent programs for children and its inclusiveness. After this visit I can see why.

W and I proceeded to the yellow room ... you could choose between a yellow or blue room... the given task was set up to mimic the site-specific contruction, a monolithic yellow cardboard sculpture, located in a nearby space. Model-making skills from Architectural Visualisation tutoring this year were called on to help W create his special house.

The main challenge was leaving plenty of scope for W to choose how his building should look whilst I was on problem-solving and sticky-taping duties. It was soon accomplished and he proudly walked around carrying it for the next few hours... making sure it got home safely.

Da-da!

On to the mask-making room. I shall go back before long and see the actual piece this was based on. Given this Triennial celebrates Art from across the vast Asian continent, out into the Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand, there is an enormous range of work on exhibit. Whilst much of it is contemporary the cultural origins are largely evident with traditional cultural works keenly represented as well.

Click to visit:The 7th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT7) - APT7 marks the twentieth anniversary of the APT, and presents an opportunity to reflect on the unprecedented transformations that have occurred in Australia, Asia and the Pacific over the past two decades. Key themes include transforming landscapes, varied engagements with the city, and the adaptability of local cultures in today's globalised world.

This event challenges and reminds us here in Australia of our geographical, political and cultural position... and specifically who our neighbours are. It asks us to think in terms of different cultural frameworks and ideas... whilst here in this country further honouring the Indigenous culture with its longevity and profoundly significant heritage.

Hard to say exactly what W was making of everything... there was so much to view. Masks clearly speak to children and we had a lot of fun with these.

W thrilled with his efforts!

Little brother joining in!

Artists like Picasso and Matisse came to mind as we moved around. We recall their comments on the child's sense of wonder and way of experiencing the world avidly when trying to overcome our own fears and blocks about taking artistic risks. My young companions delighted in the the magic of their discoveries...the playfulness and joy was something to really cherish from our day together.

In the Sculpture Garden we took time for a rest. One of the amazing features of the older Gallery is the spectacular inclusion of courtyards and shallow pools of water filled with s bed of stones ... W counted 5 pools and wondered, like I often have, why one can't dip one's toes in... they are incredibly enticing in our hot climate! Blissful it was here. Somehow I suspect we'll be returning in time!

A few weeks ago I started turning some of my artworks on paper from the past few years into Artist books and Journals for the Verandah Market with Roz Hawker, which incidently, was a lovely afternoon spent in conversation with the delightful people who joined us that day. Roz's sister was an excellent host and the verandah made for a breezy, comfortable setting and good conversations. I am often amazed how much one learns from these kinds of informal opportunities to share one's artwork.

My camera has been out of action in the last month or so... so no photos at the Veranda Market sadly. A visit to the Camera Store revealed a simple problem and last week I made up for lost time photographing everything I could find needing documentation.

Which brings me to something new...

Ive decided to offer a number of these unique handmade books for sale... enquiries are welcome.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

... its been a preference of mine to take time and post something I've been musing on... but since realising I have neglected loads of images gathered here and there plus also started to seriously neglect posting at all.... maybe this brief post is a strategy worth adopting.

I hope to do the longer version... but i wanted to share these snaps from a walk in the magnificent Daintree World Heritage listed rain forests of Nth Qld in the region where I was located for a month... see Sept-Oct posts!

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Blogging for me is an extension of keeping a journal which I have done in various forms over the decades. The difference being this is not a closed book! I like that it offers an opportunity to explore that which concerns me as an artist and as an individual about living and participating in this vastly complex, unquestionably exciting yet unnerving time in human history.
Through the blog I hope to increase the possibilties for cross-pollination which I believe can strengthen the sense of being part of something both personal and universal that is vital, expansive and refreshing.